Shoulder pain can be caused by various factors such as exercise, aging, injuries, and arthritis. Muscle strains from physical activity can be relieved with rest, ice, compression, and elevation, while lactic acid buildup can be prevented by proper conditioning and hydration. Aging can weaken muscles and tendons, cause bone spurs, and lead to arthritis.
Shoulder pain can be caused by any number of conditions, stresses, or injuries. Exercising can cause shoulder pain or soreness, which is a simple problem that can be fixed easily. Arthritis can form in the neck and spine, as well as the shoulder joints, which can be much harder shoulder pain to get rid of. Other shoulder pains are simply caused by aging; as muscles weaken and tendons can take less stress, shoulders are prone to ache when used excessively or regularly. In younger people, injuries are perhaps the most common cause of pain anywhere in the body, not just the shoulders.
During physical activity, muscles contract rapidly. If the muscle contracts too quickly or in an awkward motion, a muscle strain can occur. This can cause shoulder pain and is common in sports that require a throwing motion. The muscle may swell or bruise, causing a throbbing or dull ache in the shoulders and arms. Proper conditioning can help prevent such injuries, as can stretching before and after physical activity. Over-the-counter pain medications can help relieve some of the pain in this case, and using the RICE treatment – Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation – can reduce the swelling, thus helping relieve some of the pain.
After exercise, lactic acid can build up in your muscles. Lactic acid is a byproduct of burned glycogen, which is the body’s preferred fuel during exercise. The buildup of lactic acid can lead to a feeling of pain or stiffness, causing shoulder pain for hours or days after a workout. Drinking plenty of fluids before, during, and after exercise can help prevent such shoulder pain, as can proper diet and conditioning. Many athletes participate in lactic acid threshold training, which helps the body function at higher levels during lactic acid buildup.
Some shoulder pain is due to aging. It’s quite normal for muscles and tendons to weaken with age, meaning muscles and tendons are less prepared to handle the stresses associated with ordinary physical activity. The shoulder bones also wear down with age, and bone spurs can form in the joints. Bone spurs are sharp sections of bone that can rub against nerves, muscles, tendons, or other areas of the body, causing a painful sensation throughout the shoulder. Arthritis can also occur with age. When the ligaments between the bones in a joint weaken, wear away, or disappear, the bone is likely to rub against the bone, causing pain or shooting pain.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
